I figured I might as well make a thread so we can get our reactions in. (Or just me)

Saw it today. It's very good, better than even I'd hoped. The music is almost a match for Philip Glass' classic score, and Nia DaCosta (whose debut film, Little Woods, I found just okay) did stunning work as a director, you can see why Marvel immediately called her for Captain Marvel 2 - the horror/kill scenes are a work of art. But the best thing about is the social/class/culture commentary, even more pointed than the original. Some critics, like Angelica Jade Bastien at Vulture (who often hates everything) found it too didactic; I thought it was amazingly layered.

Vanessa Williams' return was great - she still looks amazing and was heartbreakingly on point. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's every micro-expression was spellbinding to me. How Bastien can say he did a poor job is beyond me. Teyonah Parris was incredible as well, and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett was hysterical and completely different from what he typically plays. Colman Domingo is always stellar.

I had a copy of the early Jordan Peele and co. draft. The final film was considerably different from that version, but it wouldn’t have been appropriate to do what that did. A lot of the characters and beats are the same, but in the original script (SPOILERS for the movie):

Spoiler

Helen Lyle's spirit/Virginia Madsen returns as the surprise antagonist in addition to Colman Domingo, and has lured Anthony into her own design. She had an extensive role in the third act. I have always wanted to see Helen's ghost back since I saw the original as a kid, but I can see why they changed it; it would’ve been too much and de-centered the story and themes from their appropriate focus on the Black characters and experience, IMO. (OTOH, the very first trailer for this film had a shot from the climax which looked a lot like Helen sitting there in the pews, and I know this film did reshoots - so I wonder how much Virginia Madsen or Helen may have been in the original cut, beyond her audio cameo.)

Tony Todd can be heard in the TV spots saying "I hear you're looking for Candyman," but sadly has only one different line in the final cut. Still, they used him well and I can't complain. The original script was a bit more explicit about the concept of a "Hive" of 'Candymen' being born from Black tragedy one after another, which allows them to franchise the character with multiple actors like Mateen while Todd's Candyman remains the original ghost. It was explained in the final film too, but was a bit less clear.

I think this revival was very nearly the equal of the original film, and that's about all I can ask for. Excellent.

Edited August 28, 20214 yr by Vee

I’m so thrilled to hear it is good.

Staying out of theaters right now. But, definitely going to watch it when it comes to PPV. 

I may risk going back again to see it with a larger audience! That's how good it is.

13 hours ago, Ryan Chamberlain said:

I’m so thrilled to hear it is good.

Staying out of theaters right now. But, definitely going to watch it when it comes to PPV. 

Same.

Just this morning, I read this article.

 

I spent some time with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who’s the very definition of booked and busy: https://t.co/ug1AOhM625 pic.twitter.com/gcqCFmkLjh

— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) August 27, 2021

Now you know everyone wants to see it. 😜 Not just you. 

 

I love that while I won't see it until next week, it was certified fresh and still holding up well as right now at least. 

Ooh if it comes to the drive in here I might go watch it! The previews looked really good

10 hours ago, DramatistDreamer said:

Same.

Just this morning, I read this article.

 

Oh darn I got paywalled there. 
 

 

6 hours ago, Ryan Chamberlain said:

Oh darn I got paywalled there. 
 

 

Copy and paste the url to this site:

https://archive.is/

I won't lie. I wasn't that thrilled when i heard about this film coming out. I'm just over this message heavy era we are in, when it comes to films for a certain audience. Especially for the horror genre i just want a good old-fashioned slasher. With that being said I do plan to view the film real soon though. I adored the first Candyman and enjoyed the second one too!

Edited August 29, 20214 yr by DemetriKane

On 8/29/2021 at 9:16 AM, DramatistDreamer said:

Copy and paste the url to this site:

https://archive.is/

Thanks. He seems like an interesting guy and has a lot of buzz about his other roles. I cannot wait to see him in this.